Separation Anxiety Disorder By: Cesar Aguilar

Separation Anxiety Disorder A childhood disorder characterized by intense and inappropriate anxiety, lasting at least 4 weeks, concerning separation from home or caregivers.A childhood disorder characterized by intense and inappropriate anxiety, lasting at least 4 weeks, concerning separation from home or caregivers.

Associate Features When separated they feel that something terrible might happen to them or their parents.When separated they feel that something terrible might happen to them or their parents. When separated they start to complain about having stomachaches or headaches.When separated they start to complain about having stomachaches or headaches. Going to sleep the might want their parents to sleep with them or stay with them until they fall asleep.Going to sleep the might want their parents to sleep with them or stay with them until they fall asleep. They will need constant attention.They will need constant attention.

Associated features cont. DSM-IV-TR CriteriaDSM-IV-TR Criteria Individuals with this condition experience developmentally inappropriate and excessive anxiety for at least 4 weeks concerning separation from home or from people to whom they are attached, as evidenced by at least three of the following: Individuals with this condition experience developmentally inappropriate and excessive anxiety for at least 4 weeks concerning separation from home or from people to whom they are attached, as evidenced by at least three of the following: 1. Recurrent excessive distress when they anticipate separation from home or important attachment figures.

Associated features cont. 2. Worry that harm may befall important attachment figures or that they will lose these people. 3. Worry that a bad event, such as being kidnapped, will cause a separation from major attachment figure. 4. Reluctance or refusal to go to places, such as school, because of fear of separation.

Associated features cont. 5. Fear or reluctance to be alone or without attachment figures. 6. Reluctance or refusal to go to sleep without being near an attachment figure. 7. Repeated nightmares involving separation. 8. Repeated complaints of physical symptoms when separation is anticipated.

etiology BiologicalBiological 1. Some children with SAD have family history of panic disorder. Family and Social EnvironmentFamily and Social Environment 1. Change in environment like a new house or school. 2.Stressful situations like a death of a loved one. 3. Parents who are over protective they feed each other anxieties.

Prevalence Affects approximately 4-5% of children in the U.S. ages 7 to 11 years.Affects approximately 4-5% of children in the U.S. ages 7 to 11 years. It is equally common in boys and girls.It is equally common in boys and girls. Less common in teenagers, affecting 1.3% of American teens.Less common in teenagers, affecting 1.3% of American teens.

Treatment Systematic desensitization: Children are taught relaxation techniques for managing their anxiety. They are exposed to a situation, learning to be relaxed.Systematic desensitization: Children are taught relaxation techniques for managing their anxiety. They are exposed to a situation, learning to be relaxed. Modeling: Teachers and parents can be helpful by imitating appropriate behaviors at home and school.Modeling: Teachers and parents can be helpful by imitating appropriate behaviors at home and school.

treatment Prolonged exposures: Helps children by decreasing distress, it approaches trauma related thoughts, feelings, and situations. Repeated exposure of these helps reduce distress.Prolonged exposures: Helps children by decreasing distress, it approaches trauma related thoughts, feelings, and situations. Repeated exposure of these helps reduce distress.

Prognosis Over 60% of children participating with their parents in cognitive- behavioral treatment are successful without using medication.Over 60% of children participating with their parents in cognitive- behavioral treatment are successful without using medication. Symptoms do not reappear but children might be sensitive to normal life transition.Symptoms do not reappear but children might be sensitive to normal life transition.

References Halgin, R.P. and Whitbone, S.K.(2005). Abnormal Psychology: Clinical Perspective on Psychological Disorders. New York, NY: McGraw-HillHalgin, R.P. and Whitbone, S.K.(2005). Abnormal Psychology: Clinical Perspective on Psychological Disorders. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Unknown, (2005). Separation Anxiety in Children. Retrieved from (2005). Separation Anxiety in Children. Retrieved from Unknown, (n.d.). Separation Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved from Z/Separation-anxiety-disorder.htmlUnknown, (n.d.). Separation Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved from Z/Separation-anxiety-disorder.htmlhttp:// Z/Separation-anxiety-disorder.htmlhttp:// Z/Separation-anxiety-disorder.html

Discussion questions Which of the three treatments do you think is the best to help kids with this disorder?Which of the three treatments do you think is the best to help kids with this disorder? What are some other things that can be done to reduce this disorder?What are some other things that can be done to reduce this disorder?